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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived need for a supervised visitation center in Indiana County. A supervised visitation center can offer a number of services such as a place where parents in the process of divorce can pick up and drop off their children for visitation with the ex-partner, parent training, therapy, and supervised visits for parents to have visitation with their children monitored by a third party, particularly when there are safety concerns regarding that parents interactions with his/her child(ren). Seventeen professionals working with family members in the process of visitation disputes participated in a key informant interview to assess their perceptions regarding the need for this type of service. They were also asked to discuss their views of how to design an ideal supervised visitation center and then completed a survey. Six parents in the process of divorce were interviewed by phone. Another four parents participated in a nominal group to ascertain their concerns regarding safety issues with their ex-partner and their opinions regarding an ideal visitation center.
Overall, parents and professionals indicated a perceived need for a supervised visitation center. For professionals, there was a significant difference in level of perceived need depending on where they were employed. Professionals working in a domestic violence shelter and those working in a family support agency perceived a much higher need and potential benefit than those working for the judicial system or Children and Youth Services.
Professionals and parents responded favorably to the possibility of a supervised visitation center in Indiana County. However, professionals reported concern regarding the financial feasibility of this type of program. Future research might look at the broader issues facing specialized services in a rural community and how other rural communities have overcome some of the potential barriers discussed by professionals and parents in Indiana County.
